INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
2023-02-26T09:56:54.000000Z Share fontEnable Reading ModeA-AA+Shafaq News/ Iran's defense minister, Major-General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, on
Sunday said his country is willing to share its expertise with Iraq to help it achieve "independence" and "self-sufficiency" in the military
Ashtiani's remarks came in a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Thabet Mohammad Said Reda, who arrived in the Iranian
capital, Tehran, on an official visit yesterday, Friday
"Iran and Iraq share a close geopolitical connection that encompasses national, religious, cultural, economic, and energy-related areas
We should cherish this connection as a factor of unity and solidarity between the two countries
It is a strong point that the enemies of both countries want to undermine," he said
Ashtiani said that his country endorses Iraq's unity and integrity and aims to bolster its stability, security, development, and prosperity
The Iranian defense minister deemed the presence of "secret and active terrorist groups and cells" in the Iraqi governorates near the
borders with Iran as a "threat" to both countries
"The need for military, intelligence, and security cooperation is more crucial than ever," he said
"Past experiences have shown that the presence of foreign countries in any region of the world is often accompanied by insecurity and
In our region, this presence aims to ensure the continued flow of energy and strengthen the security belt of the Zionist entity by creating
artificial crises and sowing discord and conflicts among Islamic countries
Therefore, this presence is not at all for the reasons they claim: human rights, spreading democracy, and helping the people of the region,"
"We are ready to help Iraq with our expertise to achieve independence and self-sufficiency in the defense industry," he concluded, "Iran's
defense ministry leverages all its capabilities to endorse Iraq." Reda thanked Iran for the "blood and weapons" it offered Iraq in its
ongoing war against terrorism, echoing Ashtiani's statements on the "complementarity" of the ties between Baghdad and Tehran
"If Iran is strong, Iraq is strong
If Iraq is strong, Iran is strong
This is a way to address challenges and resolve the region's problems," he added.Reda said that Iraq can benefit from cooperation with Iran
to achieve the quest of "rebuilding its armed forces after a long war with the Takfirist groups."The Iraqi defense minister attached
importance to enforcing the previously established agreements, stressing that his country looks forward to the next meeting of the
Iraqi-Iranian joint committee.
